The Bridge

[Graehstone]

Rescuers at the Bridge

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before.

But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.

He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness.

Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again.

As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him.

He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass.

Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge.

And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.

"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence.

Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted.

Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.

"Watch, and see," said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears.

The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes.

When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor Animals that they could not place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge"

 

author unknown.

[Graehstone]

Rainbow Bridge Christmas

 

As the midnight hour approaches on Christmas Eve, a tremendous celebration begins.

If you listen closely you will hear the exuberant sound of Bridgekids preparing for the remarkable moment that comes but once a year. Puppies romp through the tall green grass, chasing butterflies and rolling over and over until fits of giggles bring them to a tumbling stop.

The volume increases as kittens, cats, tigers and lions purr in pure delight

while the wings of snow white doves gently caress the air. The babbling

brook that runs beneath Rainbow Bridge overflows onto the edge of mossy banks and fins of treasured aquatic life quiver in anticipation of this most joyous event.

Nestled in the midst of this happy choir of Bridgekids are the littlest angel tots staring in awe at the majestic Christmas tree adorned with flowing strands of angel hair.

Effervescent, twinkling stars seesaw elegantly from the sky and land in glorious harmony upon the stoic limbs of Heaven's most perfect Christmas tree.

Swaying to and fro in nearby rocking chairs are grandmothers, grandfathers, parents, aunts, uncles and loved ones.

The sound of their whispered lullabies permeate the air as they sing to tiny angel babies resting quietly in their arms.

Like magic the clock approaches midnight and a great stirring is heard in the distance.

Each Bridgekid stops and listens, knowing the time is near, and they

choose a fleecy cloud on which to snuggle.

The roar of purrs drops to barely an audible hum, the babbling brook ripples hypnotically and the flutter of downy feathered wings fall silent.

Heaven's spirited toddlers climb expectantly upon the laps of angels while babies coo in tranquil unison.

Amidst the warm glow of candlelight, which rises from the earth below, the

arms of the Bridge Keeper envelop the heavens and into the precious hands of each child and in front of each animal a holy gift is placed. With grand exuberance the ribbons are removed and left to fly on a tender breeze where they dissolve into showers of angel dust.

As the golden lids of these heavenly gifts are raised, an amazing aura fills the sky, reaching down to the very core of the earth. Ascending from each and every box is the greatest gift of all...unending, unconditional, all-encompassing love.

This blessed love gently wraps itself around the cherished souls of heaven, warming their hearts with beacons of radiant light and bringing forth from angels an exquisite chorus.

As the clock strikes midnight the distance between heaven and earth is

vanished. It is at this very moment on Christmas Eve that the Bridge Keeper, His children, angels and Bridgekids send a message to their earthly loved ones on the wings of this unbridled love.

Listening carefully with an open heart we will hear the familiar voice of our own angel whisper softly into our ear their Christmas message...

"Let me share with you this love of mine, always and forever. When you

need me know that I am here. I have not left you for I am in your heart where I belong.

Our love is eternal as is the brilliant glow of candlelight which illuminates the path to the heavens and Rainbow Bridge.

I wait patiently as do you for our inevitable and glorious reunion.

I love you, I love you, I love you."

 

author unknown

[Graehstone]

Rainbow Bridge For Birds

 

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When a bird dies that has been especially close to someone here, that companion goes to Rainbow Bridge.

At Rainbow Bridge there are meadows and hills and beautiful trees of all kinds where all our special friends can fly and climb, hang and flap, hop and run, jump and play, squawk and squeal and sing together.

There is plenty of good food, including grapes and peanuts, ice cream and cheese and spaghetti, and especially lots of pizza.

There is crystal clear water in brooks, and springs are filled with water as well as every kind of delicious fresh fruit juice.

One warm spring even runs full of the coffee they can now drink their fill of without hearing a single no-no.

There is lots of glorious sunshine, and sweet warm rain when they want it, and our friends are warm and comfortable and totally at peace.

All the birds who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor and to their natural incredible beauty.

Their feathers shine, their wings feathers are whole, and their eyes gleam once again with vitality.

Those who were hurt or maimed or ignored or broken-hearted are made whole and strong and free of fear again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by.

The birds are happy and content..... except for one small thing --

they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind when the bird returned home.

Still they all fly and play happily and safely and noisily together - even the grouchiest Greys and orneriest Senegals, the tiniest Finches and the grandest Macaws.

But the day comes for each bird when he suddenly stops and looks far into the distance.

His body freezes and his bright eyes are intent as he watches and listens in silence.

Suddenly he begins to fly from the group, soaring over the green grass, his wings flapping harder and harder!!!

YOU have been spotted, and he shrieks to you and then calls your name and his own and cries again and again and as he rushes toward you.

When you and your bird finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, knowing you will never be parted again.

Your face and your fingers - and even your toes - are covered with beak nibbles and soft ecstatic kisses.

Your hair is preened by that special beak, and his head bends under your fingers to invite your touch.

Your hands again find their way under beloved wings, to caress the downy softness beneath.

You look once more into the trusting eyes of your companion --

so long gone from your physical life on earth, but never for an instant absent from your heart.

Your tears of joy are gently brushed away by those beloved wings... and feeling immersed once more in total contentment and love as you and your beloved companion cross Rainbow Bridge together......"

 

Author Unknown